Fort Collins Brewery alters Tap Club, announces new brews

Mar. 1, 2013

Don Peters, co-owner of Fort Collins Brewery, poses for a photo in front of the growler filler in the restaurant portion of the brewery Monday May 2, 2011. The restaurant will have its soft opening next week.

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In a move to improve the drinking experience for regulars, Fort Collins Brewery launched its Tap Club Friday with a relocated growler filler and discounts on growlers.

New members who join the tap club receive goods such as a t-shirt, growler and a free fill. Members receive discounts at the brewery and earn rewards throughout the year as they drink at the brewery.

The brewery’s counter-pressure growler filler, designed to keep beer fresh longer, has been moved from the restaurant to the tasting room to coincide with the launch of the new Tap Club.

Charles Stanley, marketing director with FCB, said the brewery heard from Tap Club members that they wanted more rewards.

The former Tap Club offered a lifetime membership with fewer rewards, whereas the new version is an annual $35 membership that gives users a point for every dollar they spend.

As points accumulate drinkers can receive gift cards, pint glasses and a day as a brewer. The points max out at 5,000 with a private brewery tour and beer dinner for four.

FCB also announced new beer releases Friday with its seasonal Maibock and the limited release For Whom the Belg Tolls.

An annual spring release, Maibock ages for six months offering a smooth malty flavor attained from rich malts that finishes with a warming sweetness. Toffee notes and hop bitterness round out the flavor, according to the brewery.

“We have some beers that we periodically tweak for improvement,” says FCB’s operations manager Doug Smith, in a prepared statement. “But we don’t touch Maibock’s recipe. We have this beer exactly where we want it.”

For Whom the Belg Tolls is a Belgian ESB that is part of FCB’s limited release and draft only Tap Club series.

The Belgian beer features caramel and malt character, and hints of spice from the yeast are balanced with citrus notes from the hops, according to the brewery.

Both beers will be tapped in the FCB Tasting Room for Tap Club members on Tuesday, and will be available to the general public Wednesday.